MM or HO MC Cartridge Choice-Input Please

The Garrott Bros p77i seems like a good choice in the $500 range.

I have not tried the SoundSmith ones, but their carts intrigue me too.

An acquaintance/friend who I visit occasionally who has an extremely expensive system, approaching £200 000.

They also have direct communication with some of the leading Brand Owners and are well grounded in what there system sounds like, and could sound like, making changes to any section within it is not a concern for them financially. They are not a stranger to being invited to events where invitations are for a certain type only and are regularly at HiFi events as far a field as Hi End Munich

This person will not entertain the usual type of LOMC Cart's in their System, even with their disposable funds being quite unlimited. In the times I have been demonstrated the system in the guise the owner wants it to be heard, all  LP replays have been carried out with HOMC Cart's, which are the preferred choice of the systems owner.

The same person has in the past has allowed other to demonstrate their own Cart's when brought attached to a Head Shell of which some are LOMC, and the system owner has also demonstrated a DS Audio Optical Cart'. 

 The system owner has made it known that more recently the DS Audio Optical Cart' design is being used in two different models very often. With this knowledge I informed them of a Energizer that is being produced by a EE I know, and the Energizer was purchased to be imported almost immediately.

I am confident another demonstration will be had of the DS Audio Cart's in use and the different Energizers that are available.

The curiosity will be to try and receive a demonstration of HOMC to DS Optical, to assess the impression the DS Cart's are making in comparison to the HOMC Cart's that are now used less often, it would also be good if time allowed to use a LOMC in the same demonstrations. 

Once more a case of 'each to their own' the 'ears being the Judge' and 'one likes what they like' 

I would go to the Soundsmith website and immerse myself in Peter Ledermann’s knowledge and buy a moving iron cart. They offer alot for the money, especially the older models. Good luck! 

As time goes on, you begin to appreciate the KIS rule. So, stay with a good MM, forget the fiddling and enjoy the music. AT make brilliant good value bang for the buck cartridges.